The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre - Hardcover

Banham, Martin

9780521265959: The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521265959 ISBN 13: 9780521265959

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1988

The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre is a new, illustrated, single-volume reference that emphasizes international theater and performance in its broadest sense. A-to-Z entries provide clear and concise information on traditions, theories, companies, playwrights, practitioners, venues and events. More than 300 photographs and drawings supplement the text to make this the ideal resource for theatergoers, general readers, students and professionals. The Guide contains an entry for any country with a significant theatrical past or present, from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, exploring areas of world theater that are neglected in many contemporary works of reference. National entries explain the history and nature of theater movements, identifying prominent figures and activities. Information is given about not only the personalities and practice of Shakespeare's theater but also about performance in such places as Brazil, Nigeria, India and Japan; a short bibliography for further reading is also provided. The popular origins of theatrical traditions in ritual and festival are explained in The Guide and separate entries cover folk drama, street theater, mummer's plays, and many other types of performance. This comprehensive reference also includes reliable biographical and critical essays on the established leaders of the field, renowned actors, directors, and designers. It is filled with extensive cross references that lead the reader from one entry to another. The Guide also takes into account radio and television drama, ballet and opera in their theatrical context, and covers dance and music where they clearly interact with theater as performance. Martin Banham is Director of theWorkshop Theater in the School of English of the University of Leeds, and author of several books on drama and theater. Editorial Advisory Board: James R. Brandon, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Ruby Cohn, University of California at Davis; Christopher Innes, York University, Ontario; Peter Holland, Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge; Tice L. Miller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Peter Thomson, University of Exeter; Don B. Wilmeth, Brown University, Rhode Island; George Woodyard, University of Kansas

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Review:

"I have long relied upon that other noted British university press' theatre companion as my fingertip reference, but I am about to supplant it with Banham's informative and entertaining Guide. I think, however, I shall keep it at home, far from the eager clutches of my undergraduates, who, no doubt, would find the carefully detailed yet lively entries a treasure trove of term papers for years to come." Martha LoMonaco, TCI ."..a valuable reference for schools in which drama is taught." Saskatchewan Education ."..The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre is a gem of a reference tool; it is hard to imagine anyone in the theatre who would not benefit from owning a personal copy." Theatre Studies ."..The Cambridge Guide to [World] Theatre is a gem of a reference tool; it is hard to imagine anyone in the theatre who would not benefit from owning a personal copy." Theatre Studies "There are outstanding discussions on the theatrical history and traditions of most countries of the world, including such places as Iceland and Oceania. The index and cross references enable readers to move easily from a moajor topic to related articles. This comprehensive work, aimed at scholrs, students, and general readers, will prove invaluable in all types of libraries." American Libraries "An authoritative and comprehensive dictionary on world theater, this excellent one-volume guide emphasizes performance and all aspects of international theater. Attractively produced with over 250 black -and-white illustrations, it is alphabetically arranged and encompasses the usual biographical sketches on actors, playwrights, and designers, as well as excellent coverage on individual countries with major theatrical tradition...The editors have paid particular attention to neglected persons and activities. The comprehensiveness of the guide makes it attractive to scholars and general readers." A 1989 Library Journal Best Reference book Library Journal

Synopsis:

The emphasis in this guide is on international theatre and performance, enabling readers to discover the popular origins of theatrical traditions in ritual and festival and includes information on theatrical theories, companies, playwrights, practitioners, venues and events.

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